ST. PAUL - St. Paul firefighters were on scene for a number of hours battling a house fire on Monday. While the structure was a total loss, crews were able to keep the fire from spreading to surrounding properties.
A total of 20 firefighters responded to the incident along 46th Avenue, near 51st Street, and were on scene for about five hours.
"We received a report of a structure fire just before noon on Monday, Jan. 10... Upon arrival, it was determined the house was unoccupied at the time," confirmed St. Paul Fire Chief Trevor Kotowich.
Firefighters entered the building through the front door "and attempted to find the seat of the fire," explained the chief. But, "Firefighters were faced with intense heat and smoke conditions."
Conditions deteriorated quickly and the main floor of the house became unsafe.
"At that time, all crews were ordered out of the structure, and a decision was made to utilize the ladder truck for ventilation and its master stream," said Kotowich.
The house was a total loss, and due to conditions being too unsafe to make an entry, an investigation into the origin and cause of the fire has yet to begin.
During the Jan. 10 Town of St. Paul council meeting, CAO Steven Jeffery commended fire crews for their hard work keeping the fire contained to the affected property.
Also responding to the scene was Apex Utilities, ATCO Electric, EMS and St. Paul Community Peace Officers. Traffic was blocked in the area while crews worked on scene throughout the afternoon.
